The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-liter petroleum tankers operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1st. This move aims to significantly reduce the number of truck-in-transit incidents involving petroleum products. NMDPRA Chief Executive, Ahmed Farouk, revealed the new regulation after a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, which included representatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and various industry associations.
The ban is part of a broader strategy to improve road safety and streamline petroleum product transportation. Farouk also announced that by the fourth quarter of 2025, the permitted capacity for petroleum tankers will be further reduced to 45,000 liters. He emphasized the unanimous agreement among stakeholders to implement these changes for the safe and efficient distribution of fuel across the country.
Addressing recent concerns about fuel quality, Farouk dismissed claims of substandard products as “bogus, misleading, and unscientific.” He reassured Nigerians that all imported and locally refined petroleum products undergo rigorous testing and meet strict regulatory standards before being released to the market. He detailed the process of testing at both loading and discharge ports, ensuring compliance with specifications set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Farouk also provided an update on the country’s fuel consumption patterns. He noted a decrease in daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption since the removal of fuel subsidies, from an average of 66 million liters to approximately 50 million liters. He explained that local refineries currently contribute less than 50% of the total supply, with the remaining shortfall being imported by oil marketing companies to prevent potential fuel shortages. He clarified that no PMS has been imported by any refinery owner in the country this year.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
